In Denizli, Turkey's home textile hub, annual exports hit $5 billion, with towels alone accounting for 78% of the national total, while bathrobes and bedding contribute 66% and 62% respectively. This city in southwestern Anatolia is emerging as a key node in China-Turkey textile chain collaboration.
On-the-Ground Insights: Where Synergies Lie
On June 22, a Chinese delegation led by CNTAC Vice President Xu Yingxin met with the Denizli Exporters' Association (DENIB). Local towel products, certified by international authorities, are exported to over 120 countries. Xu noted that Denizli's blend of traditional industry and modern manufacturing aligns closely with China's textile cluster development model. The delegation visited Kocaer Textile, a 30-year-old firm with annual capacity of 10 million pieces, operating under the Chakra brand with full-traceability lean production.
Aegean Region: Signals of Premiumization and Greening
On June 23, the delegation moved to Izmir for talks with the Aegean Exporters' Association (EIB). The association's 2,000 member firms export $2 billion annually, employing 860,000 people (45% female). The region's apparel goes mainly to Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, while textile raw materials head to China, Jordan, and Vietnam. The delegation visited SÖKTAŞ, a high-end shirting fabric producer with annual output of 6 million meters at an average price of €7.40/meter. Clients include LVMH, Gucci Group, and Hugo Boss. The company has a 500,000-style fabric archive, reduced carbon/water/energy per unit, and runs a 4.2 MW solar facility achieving 78% renewable energy use.
Istanbul Matchmaking: Capacity Cooperation Takes Shape
On June 25, the delegation met with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO). ITO Executive Director Giyasettin Eyyupkoca stressed that China's advanced manufacturing capacity and Turkey's position as a near-shore hub for the EU create mutual opportunities in technology, green transition, and product innovation. A business matching event followed, with 60 Turkish firms meeting Chinese delegates. The group also visited Kasar Dual (founded 1965, integrated spinning-to-dyeing), LUFIAN Group (founded 1995, transformed from OEM to retailer, $350M revenue, 100+ stores), and Eroglu Group (Colin's brand, 600+ stores in 23 countries, 5,700+ employees).